Hi - We have jazz jam sessions going on here. http://www.myspace.com/2rus. We play mostly coffeehouses. Starbucks loves to have live music and they'll throw in a coffee for everyone on the house. We play out of the Hal Leonard Real Books and have them available for C concert, Bb, and Eb, bass clef and vocals. There is a core of us called In Two but several others who come around and play.
I got started by taking the jazz ensemble classes at the local university, University of Central Arkansas. I got to know a few other musicians with whom I am still in contact. I also got playing with a Western Swing band at Senior dances. Between the two, I was meeting quite a few musicians. Finally, about 5 years ago, I joined a community big band through musicians I had previously met.
In Two is a jazz combo and the emphasis is on playing jazz standards and improvising. We are playing for dances in community centers, retirement centers and nursing homes.
I hope your community is getting their groove on too! Wendy
